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Jameis Winston was the most pro-ready quarterback coming out of college in the last 10 years**
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JOHN SCHMEELK: Fiction: There aren't many college quarterbacks that come out of pro systems these days, so there aren't many that can step in as rookies and compete competently on the NFL level in their first year. Winston is up there, but he is not on top of the list. Cam Newton would have to claim the spot given all the rookie and sophomore records he broke. The fact Newton didn't come from a pro system makes his performance all the more impressive. I'll put Andrew Luck second on the list, given how well he played early in his career. The third guy would be Matt Ryan, who quickly became an upper level NFL quarterback.
**>> THE COUGHLIN CORNER: FINDING SOLUTIONS **DAN SALOMONE:
Fiction: Andrew Luck's 12,957 passing yards in his first three seasons were the most by any player in NFL history, and his 86 touchdown passes ranked second only to Dan Marino for the most in a player's first three years. Luck, Marino and Peyton Manning are the only players to pass for 4,000 yards in two of their first three NFL seasons. Need more? Luck also had a 33-15 record as a starter in that span.LANCE MEDOW:
Fiction: *Winston is in that conversation given his physique and the system he ran at Florida State, but based on the comparisons and projections over the last 10 years, I have to go with Andrew Luck. When he was coming out of Stanford, leading up to the 2012 Draft, many experts said he was the most pro-ready quarterback since Peyton Manning and even John Elway. * Those comparisons started even after his freshman campaign. One other quarterback that deserves consideration is Matt Ryan, given his decorated resume coming out of Boston College. Like Luck, Ryan was also considered the most pro-ready quarterback in his class despite a number of other players at that position receiving more attention and notoriety.
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Doug Martin is a top-five running back in the NFL**
JOHN SCHMEELK:Fact: Given Martin is the league's fourth leading rusher, and all the injuries to players like Le'Veon Bell and Jamaal Charles, he would have to be in the top five. After a great rookie year, Martin struggled with injuries and a poor supporting cast his second and third years in the league, but he looks like a Pro Bowl running back again this season. He is quick, can break tackles and is a threat out of the backfield.
>> EXPERTS MAKE THEIR PICKS FOR GIANTS VS. BUCSDAN SALOMONE:
Fiction: He might be in Week 9, but to have the distinction of a top-five running back, the player has to do it consistently. Since he came into the league in 2012, he's only ninth with 75.4 rushing yards per game. Nonetheless, he's the player to stop on Sunday for the Giants.LANCE MEDOW:
Fiction:It's hard to put a running back who had a stellar rookie campaign in 2012 but hasn't been able to duplicate that success since in the top five. His sample size is also quite small considering he's only played in all 16 games once in his career due to injuries. With that being said, a running back's production goes hand in hand with the play of the offensive line and, in Martin's case, he hasn't had much consistency in run blocking following his rookie year. My top five running backs are: Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Le'Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy, with Matt Forte receiving honorable mention.
The Giants will break out with a season-high number of sacks vs. Tampa Bay
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J** OHN SCHMEELK: Fact: Most people would assume this has to do with whether or not Jason Pierre-Paul plays, but it has more to do with a young Bucs offensive line and Jameis Winston's (and most young quarterbacks') tendency to hold the ball. The Bucs are starting a rookie second round pick at left tackle, and the Giants should be able to generate some pressure. >> READ BUCCANEERS SCOUTING REPORTDAN SALOMONE: Fact:
The number to break is two for a Giants defense that has just nine so far. This is a game where the Giants could start to get the ball rolling. Last season they went through a drought but were able to capitalize down the stretch with some inexperienced quarterbacks, eventually finishing fourth in the NFL in sacks. That could be the recipe again this year, but Jameis Winston is a tough player to bring down at 6-4, 231 pounds.LANCE MEDOW:
Fiction:The Giants have just nine sacks in eight games, which ranks dead last in the NFL. They would need three sacks (1/3 of their total on the season) against the Bucs to post a season-high in that category. I think the odds are against them given how well the Tampa Bay offensive line has performed, especially in pass protection. Last season, the Bucs O-line surrendered 52 sacks (tied for third-most in the league), but this season, through seven games, just 14. Jameis Winston was sacked seven times in the first two games combined, but since Week 2 he hasn't been sacked more than two times in a game. **
The NFC South is the best division in the conference
JOHN SCHMEELK: **
Fiction: It's amazing how things change from year to year. Last year the NFC South was a laughing stock with an under .500 team making the playoffs, but this year they are the second-best division in the NFC, though it is very close with the NFC West. I put the South below the West because I think the Cardinals are the best team of the eight, and the Seahawks are on the same level as Carolina, the best team in the South. The 49ers are the worst team of the eight, but I still give the nod to the West. >> VICTOR CRUZ OPTIMISTIC AS HE RESUMES RUNNING DRILLSDAN SALOMONE:
Fact: It boasts the last undefeated team in the conference, a 7-2 record against the NFC East, three Pro Bowl quarterbacks, and a Rookie of the Year candidate as the fourth. It's remarkable how the tables can turn from season to season in the NFL. The Panthers won the division in 2014 with a 7-8-1 record. They are 7-0 now. LANCE MEDOW:
Fact:It's by far the deepest division in the conference with three teams at .500 or better and the Bucs just one game below .500. It is quite ironic that the NFC South is arguably the best division in the conference, considering last season every team finished below .500 and there were calls to change the postseason structure. Let this be the latest example of the continuous parity in the NFL and how quickly teams can turn things around thanks to the salary cap and the draft. The Panthers are unbeaten, the Falcons are having a bounce back campaign with new leadership and, after slow starts, the Saints and Bucs have recovered nicely, especially Tampa Bay, which has a rookie quarterback. In comparison, the NFC East has four teams that are .500 or worse, the Bears and Lions have combined for just three wins in the NFC North, making the division essentially two deep and while the NFC West goes three deep, the Niners are in worse shape than the Bucs.
Keep an eye on these five players as the Giants face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday
QB ELI MANNING After flirting with history and throwing a career-high six touchdowns last week, Manning will face Tampa Bay for the first time since he threw for a personal-best 510 yards in a 34-7 victory in 2012. Overall, Manning is undefeated in four meetings with the Buccaneers, including a 2007 NFC Wild Card Game en route to winning Super Bowl XLII. "We just have to know each Sunday is different," Manning said. "It's a different day, it's a different game, it's a different team, and so we have to make sure that we're sharp in our preparation this week, that our practices are really good, we're playing fast, have a good game plan, good understanding of the defense and their scheme and their technique, and go out there and make the plays on Sunday."
CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIELike the veteran cornerback said, the only way to bounce back from the 600 yards, seven passing touchdowns and 35 first downs the defense allowed last week is with a win this Sunday. The Giants (4-4) take on No. 1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers (3-4) in Week 9 at Raymond James Stadium. "I think you've got to go out and get this one," said Rodgers-Cromartie, whose defense is tied for first in the NFL with 13 interceptions. "The things that come along with a win, as far as our division, and trying to get back to where we want to be. So I think that's definitely the biggest thing."
WR DWAYNE HARRIS In his first year with the Giants, Harris became only the fourth player in franchise history to account for a kickoff return touchdown and at least two receiving touchdowns in a single season. Harris caught two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against the Saints after being carted off earlier in the game with knee and ankle injuries. "He's a tough hombre," coach Tom Coughlin said in his exclusive, weekly interview with Giants.com. "He goes right back out on the field. His other roles are diminishing because of what he's had to do as the third receiver. He's a gunner; he's a very good one. If he's in there on the last play, who knows?"
![DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS
Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick out of Florida State and former Heisman Trophy winner, presents enough challenges for the Giants, but running back Doug Martin cannot be overlooked. He's fifth in the NFL in averaging 87.4 yards per game and is tied for second with seven runs of 20 yards or more. The Giants hung their hat on run defense earlier in the season but have slipped to 19th in the league. Run-stuffers like Hankins will be key on Sunday.
"I think you've got to stop the run first, can't focus on [Winston] without focusing on No. 22 [Martin] first," defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's really good. Like I said before, he's a legit running back in this league. If we can do that and hopefully get a little pass rush, I think we're all talking."](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/giants/qhngj3naw3m2rgu2sl9u.jpg)
DT JOHNATHAN HANKINS Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick out of Florida State and former Heisman Trophy winner, presents enough challenges for the Giants, but running back Doug Martin cannot be overlooked. He's fifth in the NFL in averaging 87.4 yards per game and is tied for second with seven runs of 20 yards or more. The Giants hung their hat on run defense earlier in the season but have slipped to 19th in the league. Run-stuffers like Hankins will be key on Sunday. "I think you've got to stop the run first, can't focus on [Winston] without focusing on No. 22 [Martin] first," defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. "He's really good. Like I said before, he's a legit running back in this league. If we can do that and hopefully get a little pass rush, I think we're all talking."
TE WILL TYE With Larry Donnell sidelined because of a neck injury, Stony Brook's Will Tye is the next man up. The undrafted rookie has eight receptions for 77 yards this season, including an 18-yarder and a 17-yarder. Jerome Cunningham was also signed to the roster off the practice squad this week to shore up the tight end position. "The game is not too big for him," offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said of Tye. "He seems to play with a calm mind, has some—plays at a good play speed, soft hands, and when there's a lot of moving and shaking going on out there, it doesn't seem to disrupt him much."
Fact. The number to break is two for a Giants defense that has just nine so far. This is a game where the Giants could start to get the ball rolling. Last season they went through a drought but were able to capitalize down the stretch with some inexperienced quarterbacks, eventually finishing fourth in the NFL in sacks. That could be the recipe again this year, but Jameis Winston is a tough player to bring down at 6-4, 231 pounds
